Machine tool spindle construction



Aug 10, 1937. R. A. CARLSON 2,089,930

MACHINE TOOL SPINDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 3, 1955 Zydyew/07':

Ares' PATENT OFFICE 2,089.9@ moms Toor. srnmu: coNs'mncnoN Raymond A. Carbon, Rockford. m. Application July a, 19:5, sex-m No. 29,591

`l0 been made with an end structure adapted to receive means fon adiustably holding a machine tool. Presently Vmade adjustable tool holding meanso this type, however, project beyond the end of the spindle, thereby increasing the overall l length of the spindle mechanism. It follows that `the overall dimensions of a machine having one kor more spindles for operating upon work of a certain size must he increased in an amount equal to the increase of the overall length of the com- 20 bined spindle and adjustable tool holding means projectin" from an end of the spindle orspindles. An object of the present invention is the pro, vision of an improved spindle adapted to adjustably hold a tool, and being of substantially the same length as conventional spindles unadapted t to adjustably hold a tool. Y

Another object of the present invention is the l provision of a novel spindle construction including a recessed spindle containing mechanism ad- .istable longitudinally therein for holding a machine tool.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new hollow spindle open at an end and containing azustable tool holding means l substantially entirely within the hollow section thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved recessed machine l tool'spindle having an axial opening and con- 40 taining within the recessed section thereof in `adjustable telescopic relation therewith, means for holding a tool inserted through the axial opening into the spindle.

With the above and other desirable objects in i5` View, the following description is set forth in conjunction with the accompanying single sheet of drawings hereby made a part of this specication, and wherein: I

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view ol a 50 machine employing spindles constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a spindle embodying a form of the present invention;

Figs. 3 and e are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 3-3 and 5 4, respectively, ot Fig. 2; and

Figisaviewslmilartogloiamodied form of the invention.

The same reference characters are used for l designating similar parts throughout the various iigures of the drawing and in the description that follows.

The type of machine tool spindle herein illustrated and described is adapted for use in a ma- 10` chine employing either a single one or a plurality of spindles. In a multiple spindle machine the spindles are carried upon a head containing a gear cluster, from which al1 of the spindles are driven. Machines of this kind are commonly 16 used for the concurrent drilling, teaming. or tapping of a plurality of holes in a piece of work such as an engine block.

In Fig. l. there is shown a machine having a bed Il upon which there is reciprocally mounted a head ll. The bed l0 comprises the conventional rails i2 along which the head is disposed for movement. The drawing illustrates rails arranged horizontallmalthough it is readily conceivable that .the machine may comprise vertically disposed rails carrying a vertically reciprocal head Il. Means (not shown) is employed for moving the head II in either direction along the rails i2.

Extending to the left from the face plate I3 of the head II is a number oi spindles I 4, each oi which is an embodiment of the present invention. 'I'he spindles I4 may be driven by a common gear cluster (not shown) within the head H of the machine. 35

Reference should now be had to Fig. 2, which illustrates in detail the construction of a spindle Il. The spindle N includes a shank I5 which, when in combined assembly with a machine, extends through the suitably apertured face plate 40 I3 into the head II where driving engagement is had with the hereinabove mentioned gear cluster. The spindle il has an enlarged section I6 recessed at I1. Within the Wall of the enlarged section ii of the spindle, and near the shank I5 is an opening I8, which provides a means of access to the spindles interior. The

opening I8 further acts as a breather incident to movement of parts axially within the spindle. A 5o second wall openingrin the section I5 of spindle I5 is indicated by the reference character IS. The opening I is threaded to receive a set screw 26, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. Within the upper interior of the recess a5 open end 23, and a closed end 24. A seat 25 is formed in a back peripheral section of the sleeve 22 for the reception of a key 26. Key 25 fits within the keyway 2| of the spindlein a manner precluding relative rotative movement of the l0 sleeve and spindle, and permitting of relative Upon the lower rearv axial movement thereof. section of the sleeve member 22 is an inclined face 21 extending more deeply into the sleeve wall from a point at the rear end thereof toward the front end. The more forward exterior portion. of the sleeve 22 is threaded as indicated at 28. A nut 29 is adapted to be screwed ontoA the threaded section 28, and a set screw 29a is provided for vsecuring the nut 29 in any selected position upon the threaded section of the sleeve. Diametrically vopposed slots 30 are formed within the wall of the sleeve 22. Y e

A tool holder 3| having a cylindrical exterior surface is tted into the sleeve -22. The tool `holder 3|, however, andthe interior of the sleeve 22, may be of a shape other than cylindrical, if desired, so long as the contacting surfaces of the two members are adequate to provide for stability or rigidness within the assembly. A pin 32 is passed diametrically through the tool holder 3| by way of apertures 33 and into the slots 30 ofn sleeve 22, thereby permitting of relative longitudinal movement of the tool holder and sleeve, but preventing relative' rotative movement thereof. 35 Within a rear Asection of the tool holder member 3| is a pin 34 to ywhich isv connected oneend of a.`

contraction spring 35, the opposite endlk of the spring being hooked around a ',complemental pin .36 anchored in a rear section of the sleeve 22.

40 Collet means is provided .in a front section of the tool holder member 3| for detachably holding a tool 31. A number of radially disposed apertures 38 are formed in the body of the' tool holder 3| and within the bottom of a groove 39 encircling the tool holder. Small plunger-like members 4|! are inserted into the apertures 38. Normally, the plungers are held fully seated in their respective apertures so as to project a short distance into the interior of the tool holder. A

resilient ring 4| fitting into. thegroove 39 is employed for urging -the plungers 40 into theirin- Anermost seated position. .This construction is plainly shown in Fig. 3.' In Fig. 4 itwill be seen that the interior of the tool holder has asquare section 42 for engaging the square end 43 of the tool 31, thus preventing relative rotative movement between the tool` and the tool.. holder. While the tool31 isbeing inserted into the tool holder 3|, plungers or keys 40 are forced *outcowardly by the body of the toolagainst the resilient ring member 4| until such time when small pockets 44 within the tool arrive in registry with saidkeys or when the tool is forced home. At

that time the ring4| presses the keys 48 into thev pockets 44 to eiect a semi-positive lookbetween the tool 31 and the tool holder 3|.

Normally, the parts of the device will be in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. That is, the tool holder 3| "which is movable axially of Athev tool holder carrier is ordinarily held to the right, Fig. 2, by the contraction spring 35. The reciprocal limits Aof the tool holder 3| relative to the sleeve areV determined by the ends of the slots 3|); which can be abutted by the pin 32.

7 5,y Manipulation of the nut 2,9 and the set screw machine head Il.

20 makes it possiblel toadjust the relative axial relationship of the sleeve 22 and the tool holder therein to the spindle |4. For example, the sleeve 22 may be moved tothe left by first loosening the f set screw 20 and thereafter turning the nut 29 in a 5 direction to advance it to the right along the sleeve, thereby placing the nut in engagement with the open end of the spindle I5, and

drawing the sleeve 22 to the left until a different portion of the inclined section 21 of the sleeve is 10 i carried into firm engagement with the inner end of the set screw 20. The two members 29 and 28' make it possible to obtain any relative axial position of the sleeve 22 and the spindle |4 within certain limits. When the sleeve 22 is drawn l5 firmly against the inner end of the set screw 20 incident to the tightening of the nut 29V against the end-ofspindle I5, the wedging action of the set screw upon the inclined face of the sleeve will insure a tight flt between the parts. Adjust- 20 ment'of'the parts in the oppositedirection is accomplished by loosening the nut 29, that is, turning it in a direction upon the threaded portion of the sleeve 22 as to advance it tothe left away from the contiguous end of spindlev |5. There- 25 after, the whole assembly within the hollow section of the spindle may be shifted to the right where it may be maintained by advancing the set screw 20 inwardly into engagement with the sur-l face-21. 30

'I'he device shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is for use under such conditions as when the tool is adapted to advance into the work without axial pressure. If the tool should advance into the work at a greater speed than the head is moved'to- 35 ward the work, the key 26 and the pin 32 will continue toprovide tortional force to the ftool, while the spring v35vwill permit the tool 31 to move forward relative to the spindle `and the 40 That form of the devicer shown in Fig. 5 is identical in all respects to that shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and v4 with the exception of the type of spring employed thereby for determining the normal relative position between the tool holder member 45 and the sleeve for carrying such member. Corresponding, reference characters are used for designating like parts in the two forms of. the invention, the reference characters in the second form being distinguished by the use of a 50 prima The device shown in Fig. 5 Vembodies a compression spring 35'r which yexerts a force between the right end of the sleeve 22 and a seat 45 upon an end of the tool holder 3|. Under normal conditions, the spring 35 maintains 55 the tool holder 3| in its most advanced position to the left, Fig. 5, with the cross pin 32' in abutted relationship with the left ends of s lo|s h3|l win the sleeve. This particular type-"of spindle is for usein combination with a tool which requires 60 pressing into the work. Should the tool fail to move into the work at as great a speed as the spindle is moved by the machine head in the direction of the work, the spring 35 will permit of the tool holder being displaced backwardly 05 into the hollow spindle.

vIn either of the two typesV of spindles shown, the parts for adjustably and releasably engaging the toolare adapted to be contained entirely within the spindle. Manifestly, a machine ttedv with a spindle of the present type designed'to receive and hold a tool at a lesser ldistance from the machine head is thereby made capable of accommodating a larger piece of work. Novelty aoeacso exists in the extreme simplicity and compactness of the construction.

What I claim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a hollow spindle open at an end to permit of the projection of a tool thereinto, a carrier member adjustable axially within said spindle, and a tool holder adjustably disposed within said carrier member adapted tooperatively engage a tool extending into the open end of said spindle.

- 2. A spindle construction comprising an open' ended spindle, a carrier member adjustable axially within said spindle, a tool holder normally substantially wholly within said carrier member' and said spindle and-movable axially therein whereby to extend exteriorly of said carrier member and spindle through such open spindle ,end, and means yleldingly constraining such axial movement of said tool holder.

3. A spindle construction comprising'a hollow spindle having an end opening, a carrier member adjustable axially within said spindle, a tool holder having tool engaging means thereon, said tool holder being axially movable relatively to opening, and a tool holder substantially entirely within said carrier and adjustable axially thereof.

5. A spindle construction comprising a hollowr spindle having an end opening, a carrier member in said spindle, and a tool holder in said carrier member, said spindle, carrier member and tool holder being adjustable relatively axially, the carrier member being adjustable between a position wherein a portion thereof extends outwardly through such spindle end opening and a position substantially completelywithin said spindle, and said tool holder being adjustable be- 50 tween a position wherein a portion extends outwardly beyond an end oi said: carrier member and a position substantially wholly within said carrier member.

6. A spindle construction comprising a hollow spindle having an axial opening, a carrier member in said spindle. a tool holder in said carrier member, said carrier member being axially adjustable in said spindle between a position wherein a portion of the carrier member projects outwardly through such spindle opening and a. position wherein the carrier member is substantially entirely within said spindle, said tool holder being reciprocable axially of said carrier member Vbetween a position wherein a portion of the tool holder projects beyond an end thereof and a position wherein the tool helder is substantially wholly within said carrier member, and means urging said tool holder toward the position farthest within the carrier member.

7. A spindle construction comprising a hollow spindle having an axial opening, a carrier member in said spindle, a tool holder in said carrier member, said carrier member being axially adjustable in said spindle between a. position wherein a portion of the carrier member Yprojects outwardly through such spindle opening and a position wherein the carrier member is substantially entirely within said spindle, said tool holder being reciprocable axially between positions providing forl confinement of the tool holder substantially wholly Within the carrier member, and means yieldingly urging said tool holder toward the spindle opening.

8. A spindle construction comprising a hollow spindle, a hollow carrier in said spindle and adstantially entirely within said carrier and adjustable axially thereof, said tool holder having a tool engaging part within the confines of both said carrier and said spindle.

9. A spindle construction comprising a hollow spindle, a set screw adjustable transversely of said spindle in a wall thereof, a'hollow carrier in said spindle and adjustable axially of said spindle, there being on said carrier a surface convergent upon the axis Vthereof and movable against said screw to determine the axial adjustmentof said carrier, said carrier also having a threaded end section projecting outwardly of said spindle, and a nut bearing against said spindle and advanceableupon such threaded section to draw said carrier into a selected adjustment with the converging surface thereof bearing against said screw.

RAYMOND A. CARLSON.

` justable axially thereof, and a tool holder sub- 

